Search UT

Students of all majors had the opportunity to network in a lighthearted way on campus Wednesday.

The Southard Institute for Sales Excellence hosted “Carnival and Connections,” which brought together working professionals and students over carnival games and fair food. A wide range of industries were represented, from manufacturing to logistics, finance, medical, and HR placement. 

There was also inflatable axe throwing. And basketball, a football toss and corn dogs.

The event was organized by students in an advanced sales course.

Stacey Schetzsle, director of the sales institute, said most of the companies in attendance frequently work with the institute, but the advanced sales students were tasked with identifying additional companies that they thought would be a good fit. The students then called on the companies to sell the event and invite them to come. 

“They’re learning all the skills that they are going to use when they graduate and they start their first entry-level position,” Schetzsle explained. “But all the students get to benefit from it because we’re bringing the companies to campus.” 

Naomi Vogel ’25, was there representing Hercules Sealing Products, a hydraulic equipment supplier out of Clearwater, was in the professional selling class last year. After inviting the company to this same event, she earned an internship, and now she is employed at Hercules full time. 

“It’s interesting to be on this side of the table, and I now get to meet students and bring on new interns to the same program,” she said.

Her advice for students hoping to have a similar success story is to make the small connections.

“It’s just really valuable, and you never know who you’re going to connect with.”

Schetzsle said Vogel’s story is not uncommon.

“Actually, we get that a lot. It’s a great full circle moment for us,” she said, “because they were in that same position, and now a year, two years, five years out, they’re back and recruiting,” Schetzsle said.

Teddy Riser ’26, an entrepreneurship major looking to go to law school, is not looking for an internship or a job at the moment, he said, but he was treating the event as “practice,” at selling himself. 

“You know, one day I’m gonna need to convince a jury to decide in my favor,” he said. 

Ben Parsons ’28, a business administration major, was assigned to attend the event for business speech class. He admitted to it being convenient — because he wanted to network, anyway. 

“To be able to not only get an assignment done, but to also be able to network with local businesses and people that can hook you up with internships and provide professional advice, is always something to appreciate,” he said.